Ralph Ellison - Invisible Man

Presentation (Handout) , 2001 , 6 Pages , Grade: none

American Studies - Literature

The Quest
· can be defined as a voyage with a goal, a “Suchwanderung”.
· the goal is usually a treasured item or one’s own soul.
· 3 major parts: the departure, the voyage with adventures, and the return or the
heightening of the hero.
· Invisible Man: the search for identity or for his self.
I. The departure of the hero
The hero parts from his social group
reason: a disharmony within the society he lives in.
Invisible Man: his departure from the hole he lives in
or
his expulsion from college after which he tries to find himself.
II. The voyage with adventures
The hero undertakes a voyage and has to get through several adventures: fighting monsters
and/ or giants, being seduced by beautiful women, being led on the wrong track.
Helpful figures: good spirits who aid him and show him the right track.
The height of adventures: reached in the death struggle or supreme ordeal, where the hero
dies a symbolic death. This means that his former self dies, and this death is followed by a
spiritual rebirth. à initiation
1. bus trip to New York
fatherly advice by the vet: learn to look beneath the surface (127); play the game, but play it
your own way. Learn how it operates, learn how you operate (128); be your own father,
young man. And remember, the world is possibility if only you’ll discover it (130).
2. disillusionments: The letters of recommendation from Bledsoe [...]

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• The Quest
• The departure of the hero
• The voyage with adventures
• The heightening of the hero

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This text explores the concept of the Quest as a literary structure in the context of Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man. It examines how Ellison's novel utilizes this classic motif to convey the protagonist's search for identity and self-discovery within a complex and racially charged American society.

• The Quest as a Literary Structure
• The Protagonist's Search for Identity
• The Role of Race and Invisibility in American Society
• The Power of Disillusionment and Awakening
• The Influence of External Forces on Individual Identity

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• The Quest: The text defines the Quest as a literary motif encompassing three stages: the departure, the voyage with adventures, and the return or heightening of the hero. It applies this structure to Invisible Man, identifying the protagonist's search for identity as the central goal.
• The departure of the hero: The hero departs from their social group due to societal disharmony. In Invisible Man, this could be the protagonist's departure from the hole he lives in, his expulsion from college, or his growing awareness of his invisibility.
• The voyage with adventures: This stage involves the hero's journey and encounters with various challenges, including encounters with both helpful and harmful figures. It culminates in a death struggle or ordeal, leading to a symbolic death and spiritual rebirth. In Invisible Man, this phase is marked by the protagonist's journey to New York, where he encounters disillusionment, the factory episode, the factory hospital, and encounters with individuals like Mary Rambo and the Brotherhood.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The main keywords and focus topics of this text include the Quest, identity, invisibility, race, American society, disillusionment, awakening, external forces, and Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man. These terms highlight the core themes and concepts explored in the work, examining how these elements shape the protagonist's journey and understanding of his place in the world.

• College: University of Heidelberg (Anglistik Seminar)
• Course: Upper Seminar Text in Context
• Grade: none
• Author: Anke Balduf (Author)
• Publication Year: 2001
• Pages: 6
• Catalog Number: V11316
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638175081
• Language: English
• Tags: Ralph, Ellison, Invisible, Upper, Seminar, Text, Context